Parks Calls for Official Condemnation of Sterling’s Alleged Comments

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Parks Calls for Official Condemnation of Sterling’s Alleged Comments

Amid a widespread backlash against Clippers owner Donald Sterling, Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard C. Parks has announced his intention to introduce an official resolution on Tuesday condemning racist remarks that have been attributed to the embattled NBA owner.

At a news conference on April 26, 2014, Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard C. Parks addresses racist comments that have been attributed to Clippers owner Donald Sterling. (Credit: KTLA)

According to a news release released Sunday by Parks’ office, a draft of the resolution asks the city to:

-Condemn the statements,

-Demand a personal apology to “the entire Los Angeles community and specifically city treasure and international icon Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson,”

-Request that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver enact sanctions similar to those that were imposed against former Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott,

-Support the decision of the NAACP’s Los Angeles chapter to revoke its nomination of Sterling for a lifetime achievement award, and

-Request that the Los Angele Times and other local newspapers cease publishing “Sterling’s weekly publicity ads that display his commercial real estate empire and his alleged civic activities.”

Many current and former NBA players, fans, and elected officials have criticized Sterling since TMZ on Friday posted an audio recording in which the billionaire allegedly made racist comments during an argument with a female friend.

“In your lousy f—— Instagrams, you don’t have to have yourself with – walking with black people,” the man in the audio said.

“If it’s white people, it’s OK? If it was Larry Bird, would it make a difference?” the woman responded, referring to the Boston Celtics Hall of Famer.

“I’ve known [Johnson] well and he should be admired. … I’m just saying that it’s too bad you can’t admire him privately,” the man on the recording said. “Admire him, bring him here, feed him, f— him, but don’t put [Johnson] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games.”

Parks’ staff emphasized that his resolution may be amended before it is introduced at the City Council’s meeting on Tuesday.

“Sterling’s actions are inconsistent with the United States’ human-rights laws, the longstanding positions of the L.A. City Council, the diversity of the community, the fan base of the Clippers and the very high percentage of minorities who worked for and are working for the NBA,” Parks said.

The 8th District councilman served as chief of the Los Angeles Police Department from August 1997 to May 2002. He joined the force shortly after its patrol vehicles were integrated and “withstood years of racism in the department,” he said, before being named chief of police in August 1997.